Israelis' nomination of extremist settler leader for Nobel Peace Prize sparks online furor
DUBAI: Daniella Weiss, a radical settler leader, has been nominated by Israelis for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
Professors Amos Azaria and Shalom Sadik of Ariel University and Ben-Gurion University submitted nominations for Weiss, according to reports.
In a letter to the Nobel Prize Committee, they reportedly claimed that 'the establishment of Jewish communities has prevented violence and enhanced security' and that despite both Jewish and Palestinian deaths in Gaza, casualties were 'significantly lower' in the West Bank due to Weiss' work.
Weiss, director of the Nachala Settlement Movement, is a prominent supporter of Israeli annexation and illegal settlements in Palestinian territories.
Israel's West Bank settlements have been deemed illegal by the UN and several countries.
In June 2024, Canada imposed sanctions against Weiss and six others 'in response to the grave breach of international peace and security posed by their violent and destabilizing actions against Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank.'
The nomination has left online users baffled and outraged. One said: 'For a moment, I thought this was a joke, but no, it's not.'
Another said, 'No one will want to be honoured with a Noble prize if this ever happens.'
The Nobel Peace Prize winners will be announced on Oct. 10 with the award ceremony scheduled for Dec. 10.
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